The Best of Ecuador and Peru

On arrival at Lima’s Jorge Chavez International Airport, we meet our guide and transfer to our hotel. The rest of the day will be at leisure.

Peru's capital with over eight million residents, Lima perches on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean and has an uninterrupted history of more than 2000 years. A capital founded by Spanish conquistadors that subsequently exploded with influxes from Asia and then from Peru's own Andean highlands, Lima is perhaps the most fascinating city in the continent.

Our full day tour begins at a "Peruvian Market" (Suquillo Market), where we will be able to appreciate a wide variety of Peruvian products, enjoy and taste exotic fruits and be amazed by a huge variety of fish and seafood.

Next we visit Larco Museum, which collects more than 45,000 pieces, mostly ceramics. From there, we proceed to the Museum of Anthropology and Archaeology, a small but well organized museum, offering one of the best perspectives of art and archaeology of thousand-year-old Peru. A private lunch is included today at the Larco Museum. This afternoon, we discover the faded grandeur of Lima’s beautiful Spanish colonial past and visit the Plaza Mayor with the government palace, City Hall, the Archbishop palace and the Cathedral. We also se the San Francisco cloister and its 17th century church, a world cultural heritage site. Tonight, we tour the Reserve Park – formally known as the Magic Water Circuit, with its 13 impressive fountains that combine movement, lights and sounds in one spectacular show.

Tonight we also enjoy a “welcome” to the New World Dinner at Huaca Pucilana.

This morning we transfer to the airport for our one hour flight to Cuzco, high in the Andes Mountains. Upon arrival we are greeted and join our guide for our journey to the fabled Urubamba Sacred Valley. Enroute to the hotel, we visit Nilda Canallaupa, a native weaving project sponsored by the National Geographic.

Cellanaupa Nilda is the founder and head of the Center for Traditional Textiles (www.incas.org) in Cuzco, an NGO dedicated to preserving the textile heritage of the Andean people. A native of the village of Chinchero, Nilda was, by the age of 14, presenting at the Smithsonian Institute and the American Museum of Natural History. After attending university, Nilda started the Center for Traditional Textiles of Cusco, including a weaving cooperative and a school for young girls (who must come dressed in traditional costume to be considered). CTTC also provides shelter for women in distress, insures that young girls connect with their elders, and helps native weavers control the marketing of their textiles. Nilda is a shining example of how indigenous people can fully engage with world markets and still remain true to their roots. After the visit, we enjoy a special gourmet picnic lunch while witnessing a presentation of a centuries-old Andean religious ritual, the “Tribute to the Mother Earth.”

We embark on a full day excursion to the Cunyuni indigenous bio-cultural heritage area, where the natives are known for their warm character, entrepreneurial spirit, and tradition of working collectively for the greater good of the community.

The proud villagers will show us how they have managed to survive in such extremely adverse conditions at over 13,000 feet above sea level where only wild grass grows naturally. We will learn from the community leaders about their daily lives and their ancestral traditions that date to pre-Inca times.

The religious buildings in particular are as finely made as those at Machu Picchu, and the site features one of Peru’s only remaining intihuatanas, enigmatic carved rocks that were used for astronomical observation.

We also visit the colorful market where we can barter for handcrafted jewelry, leather, woolens, carpets and alpaca products.

Awaiting us today is by far and away one of the high points in world tourism: Machu Picchu. We transfer to the Ollantaytambo train station to board the Vistadome train to Aguas Calientes, where we disembark and then board a bus that takes us to the Machu Picchu archeological site. The tour includes every nook and cranny of this New 7th Wonder of the World and UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. Afterwards, there is some free time to explore the site on your own, relax, or meditate.

We rise early for a tour of one of the most incredible sights in the New World – the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu. We return to our hotel for lunch before transferring to Aquas Calientes station, where we will board the train back to Cusco. On arrival, we transfer to our hotel

We start our full day exploration of Cosco with a walk through the Qorikancha (Sun Temple), which is now referred to as Santo Domingo Church. Next we tour the archaeological sites that surround Cusco:  The Saqsayhuaman Fortress, an amazing site with huge stone constructions. We will also visit Q’enqo, a place that was used for worship and ceremonial center.  

Back to the city, we tour proceed to “San Blas”, the Artisans’ Neighborhood of narrow and high streets, beautiful little plaza, where the fibers of wool, the pieces of clay and the wood pieces turned into real art pieces.  Continue to see the famous Twelve Angles stone, part of the largest Inca wall of Cusco, which used to be the Hatunrumiyoc (Big Stone) palace, built by Inca Sinchi Roca.  This is an example of Inca skill with polygonal masonry. 

This afternoon, we travel to the neighboring Tipon, a beautiful complex of agricultural terraces built over 500 years ago around a spring near Cusco by the Incas to integrate their architecture with its surroundings. These intricate bath and irrigation channels still function five centuries after the Spanish conquest, which provides Tipon with an endless, soothing soundtrack of running water

Our last stop will be at the colonial church of San Pedro de And ahuaylillas. Built at the beginning of the 17th century, the interior of this church is decorated with polychrome ceilings, numerous paintings from the Cusco School, a majestic organ, as well as intricate silverwork and baroque altars. At the end of the tour, we'll be transported back to our hotel. Tonight we dine out in one of Cusco’s fine dining local restaurants.

Today we will be transferred to the airport for our flight to Lima airport, where we will connect with the flight to Quito. On arrival, we are met and transferred to our hotel. Tonight we transfer to the colonial quarter of the city for a taste of authentic Ecuadorian delights. 

• Tour the Historic Center
• Continue to the north of the city and see the planet’s Latitude 0’0’0’ 
• And tour the Itinan Museum 


A wonderful tour through the streets and main squares of Quito Historic Centre, first city in the world to be declared by the UNESCO as “World Cultural Heritage” in recognition for its architectonic and artistic value. Narrow and sometimes steep streets surrounded of a great exhibition of classic architecture, colonial style houses, gracious flowered balconies, charming squares and more than 50 monumental churches, convents, monasteries, cloisters and historic monuments get together at the best preserve Historical center of Latin America to delight our passengers. We lunch at El Crater Restaurant situated on the rim of an extinct volcano. Continue with a short trip to the north of the city of Quito will lead us to our planet´s Latitude 0´0´0´´where the Itiñan museum known too as “The trek of Sun” will guide us through  the wonderful world of the Andean Cosmo-vision, culture and traditions.

Located at 2530 meter above sea level we find the everlasting fertile, Province of Imbabura, these magical lands surrounded by lakes are cradle of artists, histories and living pre-Inca cultures. We will visit Peguche, a picturesque and messy little town whose habitants are famous for their weaving abilities on hand made looms in vivid colors representing figures of the Andean Region.


At Peguche, the art of coloring wools have became a recreational game where traditions, norms and rules end up in an incredible blend of hammocks, textiles, sweaters, etc, that the community exhibits with proud and color. Together with the weaving industry, the community of Peguche, following with their ancestral traditions, is well known for the manufacture of wind instruments like the Sikus, Kenas and charangos, here we found the House of the Instruments whose walls bring us memories of the Andean music representing the song of nature, water and air.

In the area, we also find the strong and artistic hands of the people of San Antonio. Art studios with wood, stone and ceramic sculptures that represents the Quito school of art that transmit us the spirit of the indigenous villages whom had kept this Spanish cultural manifestation within a lot of generations. All this artistic towns, commercialize their art in the Otavalo Market, beyond a shopping tour this tour teach us the work, traditions and customs of our indigenous communities. A traditional gourmet lunch is included today at a local hacienda. Dinner is included this evening at our hotel.

Assistance and transfer from hotel to airport in order to take flight to the Galápagos Islands.

CRUISE ABOARD MV LA PINTA
1000 kilometers directly across from the coast of Ecuador, in the Pacific Ocean, the Galapagos Islands are one of the world’s most unique and extraordinary places.  A natural paradise where you find yourself magically transported to eras far bygone….Visiting Galapagos is a lifetime’s experience….some of your special momentums may include walking through nesting colonies of blue or red-footed boobies, sitting on a lava rock, surrounded by unconcerned and prehistoric looking marine iguanas or swimming in the unusual company of playful penguins or frolicking sea-lions. 

MV La Pinta is a deluxe 63 metre yacht designed for the ultimate cruising experience. Naturalist guides, using state of the art expedition equipment will provide insightful and informative commentary while exploring the islands and during evening briefings. After intense days, the ship offers a level of service and a haven of relaxation with tastefully appointed rooms that will certainly satisfy the discerning traveler. All meals from dinner on your arrival date until breakfast on your departure date plus accommodation, daily guided sharing basis excursions with English/Spanish speaking guide and transfers in the islands during program are included.
Baltra Island: We land at Baltra Island by plane and transfer to the dock to board the Santa Cruz, where we receive a welcome introductory briefing and dinner.

Las Bachas (Santa Cruz Island): This beautiful visitor site is located on the north shore of Santa Cruz Island, a glorious white beach with several brackish lagoons only a few steps away from the sea. These lagoons are the feeding grounds of various wading birds, from stilts to flamingos. This is a great opportunity to get acquainted with snorkelling gear and techniques. Welcome cocktail, expedition plan for the next day and dinner.

After breakfast, we explore the coastline along the impressive cliffs of Buccaneer Cove, learning about the area’s distant and recent history. The cove is home to a large number of marine birds, sea lions, and inter-tidal organisms. Enjoy fantastic natural formations such as the “Elephant Rock”, “The Bishop” and an impressive natural cave. This is a great site for snorkeling or panga ride.

Puerto Egas (Santiago Island): Once we disembark at the beach, we can enjoy a swim or snorkel amid a rocky shoreline, usually in the company of marine turtles. From here, we head off to our walk, a great opportunity to see land and marine birds amid landscape of tuff-stone layers and lava flows. At low tide, marine iguanas graze upon the algae beds and we can also observe a colony of fur-sea lions. Non-snorkelers can enjoy a longer walk.

After breakfast, we land on Rábida Island’s red-coloured beach, caused by the unusually high content of iron in the volcanic material. Our walk brings us close to a large colony of sea lions, marine iguanas, mockingbirds, yellow warblers and several species of Darwin’s finches. Very close to the beach, a salt pond hosts migrating greater flamingos at certain times of year. This is a great place to snorkel from the beach, both for beginners as well as for experienced snorkelers, due to the unique combination of underwater species and submarine landscapes. Non-snorkelers will enjoy a ride on the glass bottom boat or a panga ride. During navigation to our next island, dolphins are often spotted!

Bartolomé Island: We land at Bartolomé for a hike to the summit of this diminutive island that boasts fantastic views of the archipelago. This is a moderately steep climb aided by a wooden staircase, resting platforms and handrails – the view from the top is worth the effort! Following our walk, we take to the pangas and the glass bottom boat for a ride around the colossal Pinnacle Rock, and then land at the beach to enjoy some swimming, snorkelling or just relaxing (possibly with Galápagos penguins in attendance).

The morning we starts with a panga ride along the cliffs of this dramatic island, followed by landing with a steep climb (90 feet) up some stairs to reach a flat plateau. Along our walk, we can observe large colonies of Nazca boobies, red footed boobies, great frigate birds and storm petrels. Those not wishing to disembark can enjoy a longer panga ride along the cliffs (depending on weather conditions). After the walk, we can snorkel along the dramatic cliffs where there are chances of spotting lots of fish, including hammerhead sharks.

Darwin Bay (Genovesa Island): In the afternoon, we land at this beautiful beach to enjoy some swimming and/or snorkelling. Following our dip, we take an easy stroll to observe hundreds of birds, mainly frigate birds, red footed and Nazca boobies, gulls, herons, finches and mockingbirds. There’s an optional walk over sharp lava and uneven terrain for dramatic views, or else we can return to the beach or enjoy a panga ride.

After breakfast, we visit the breeding programme of giant tortoises at Cerro Colorado. Here, we learn about this endangered species and its promising recovery. Following the visit, we return to town and transfer to the airport for our flight back to Quito. On arrival, we meet our guide and transfer to our hotel. Tonight we enjoy our final dinner at the Theatrum Restaurant. 

We transfer to the airport this morning to connect with our flights home.